KOTA KINABALU: The Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS) Alumni Association has welcomed the proposed Bachelor’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
Its President, Datuk Pakhruddin Bian, said the proposal was a positive development that could expand access to higher-level technology education for Sabah youths.
He said, if realised, the programme could further strengthen KTYS’s role as a higher education institution with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“KTYS alumni welcome the initial discussions and see this as a step forward in providing young Sabahans with opportunities to pursue studies in artificial intelligence and develop skills in future technologies.
“AI has great potential, and we need to ensure Sabah youths also have opportunities to study and develop skills in this field,” he said.
The proposal was announced by KTYS chief executive officer Datuk Tah Niah Jaman in his speech at the institution’s 29th Convocation last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Pakhruddin also welcomed KTYS’s efforts to expand educational opportunities for students from lower-income families through the Gerak Cemerlang SPM (GeCerSPM) programme.
He said the programme reflected KTYS’s commitment to helping Form Five students from B40 and e-Kasih families receive additional guidance in preparing for the SPM examination, particularly in Mathematics and Science.
The GeCerSPM programme was introduced in 2025 involving three secondary schools in Kota Kinabalu and was expanded this year to Tuaran and Keningau, involving about 300 students.
Pakhruddin said the expansion demonstrated that KTYS’s role was not limited to higher education, but also included efforts to improve the academic performance of secondary school students.
He said the KTYS Alumni Association remained ready to support the institution’s efforts to strengthen education, develop human capital and create more opportunities for Sabah’s younger generation.
